Let性视界传媒檚 be honest, no one reads the terms of service or privacy policies. We scroll to the bottom, check the box, and move on. But in doing that, we性视界传媒檙e agreeing to all kinds of conditions that most of us don性视界传媒檛 understand, and maybe wouldn性视界传媒檛 accept if we knew what they said.
Fortunately, someone out there is reading them, and translating them into plain English.
A website called “Terms of Service; Didn’t Read”, or , was created for exactly that reason. It's a nonprofit project powered by volunteers, including lawyers and students, who break down the legal language in privacy policies and terms of service for the apps and websites we use every day.
Each service gets a summary of the most important points and a grade.
According to TOSDR, by accepting Facebook性视界传媒檚 terms, you性视界传媒檙e giving them permission to use your name and photo in advertisements, view your browsing activity, and even read private messages.
TikTok性视界传媒檚 terms go further. They include a clause where users waive their 性视界传媒渕oral rights,性视界传媒 a legal term that protects how your original content is used and credited. Not sure what that means? TOSDR explains it.
X (formerly Twitter) tracks data about you even if you don性视界传媒檛 interact with the app. And Instagram holds on to your content, even if you性视界传媒檝e deleted it.
TOSDR has reviewed dozens of major services, including YouTube, Reddit, and Khan Academy, and some of them receive failing grades for transparency and user control.
Here性视界传媒檚 the problem: you don性视界传媒檛 get a real choice. If you want to use the app, you have to accept the terms. The only alternative is to stop using the service entirely.
For most people, it性视界传媒檚 easier to click 性视界传媒渁gree性视界传媒 and hope for the best. But ignoring the fine print can have long-term consequences, especially when it comes to old apps still sitting on your phone. They could be collecting data based on outdated permissions you性视界传媒檝e forgotten all about.
